British tennis player Jack Draper has withdrawn from the Mubadala DC Open in Washington after failing to recover from a persistent left arm injury.
The 23-year-old was awarded a wild card into the ATP 500 tournament and had been scheduled to face American Alex Michelsen in the opening round. His withdrawal sees lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald take his place in the main draw.
It marks another setback for Draper, who also pulled out of Wimbledon in June after competing at the Eastbourne International. The recurring injury has disrupted what was expected to be an important stretch of the North American hard court season.
Despite the disappointment, Draper remains optimistic about his recovery. In a post on Instagram, he admitted the past few months had been filled with setbacks and uncertainty but said the experience had strengthened his mindset.
"These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks. Most days I've spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward," Draper wrote.
He added that learning to accept the recovery process and remain patient had been one of his biggest challenges, but believes he is moving closer to returning at his best.
Currently ranked world No. 147, Draper has struggled to build momentum because of recurring injuries. However, he has already shown what he is capable of when fully fit.
Earlier this season, the Briton reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, where he claimed the biggest win of his career by defeating Novak Djokovic. The result served as a reminder of Draper's potential, with fans now hoping he can make a full recovery and return to regular competition.
